OSHER 634 - Life's Dilemmas as Illustrated in Literature: Children and Authority

This literature course will use two books to study dilemmas children face when dealing with authority. When faced with pressure from adults, one child rebels while the other acquiesces. In My Name is Asher Lev by Chaim Potok, Asher must deal with his brilliant artistic talent in the rigid system of Hassidic Judaism. In Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card, a gifted boy faces the loss of his soul or the salvation of the earth. To acquiesce or not, and at what price: those are the questions. These books illustrate challenges to faith, belief, and illusion which we will use to develop insights and stimulate discussion.